A northbound train struck the car at about 7:30 a.m., temporarily closing both directions of the tracks, according to Caltrain.

According to Borean, who was part of the emergency response team, the male driver of a Chrysler Concord blacked out before his car sped through the intersection at Pacific Boulevard and Laurie Meadows Drive, clipped another vehicle, went up a 15-foot embankment, and landed on the railroad tracks.

Seconds later, with the man still inside, the train sideswiped the car and dragged it about 10 feet down the tracks, according to Borean.

"For that to happen and nobody to get injured was, I think, pretty amazing," Borean said.

The man refused medical treatment and was taken home by his wife, according to Borean.

Amtrak police Detective Joe Gross said initial reports had the train traveling at 79 mph before it sideswiped and totaled the car.

San Mateo police will handle the investigation because the incident began on San Mateo city streets, Gross said.